Prime Minister Dr Holness to Police Trainees: Use Your Authority with Humanity and Respect, Not Abuse
Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has called on the newest cohort of police trainees to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, respect, and humanity as he addressed them during a visit on Saturday (May 24) to the Tranquility Bay Police Training Facility in St. Elizabeth.
“You represent a significant investment of the Jamaican people in our security,” the Prime Minister told the trainees. “Our intention is to have a police force of which the people of Jamaica will feel proud.”
Prime Minister Holness reminded the recruits that their role carries significant authority, but that authority must never be misused.
“The authority that you will have by virtue of the positions you will occupy as members of the security forces must at all times be used with respect. It must be used with great care and responsibility,” he said.
The Prime Minister continued: “It must never be abused. It must never be used for your personal gain. It must never be used to take advantage of… and it must never be used with disregard for the citizen.”
Dr. Holness noted that how officers exercise their authority will affect how the public engages with them.
“You will find that the public will have even greater cooperation with you,” the Prime Minister said. “And you will find that the Jamaica that existed at the start will be better at your retirement.”
As Jamaica strengthens its approach to citizen security, Prime Minister Holness reminded the recruits that they are not separate from the public, but part of it.
“Remember, you come from the population. The population is going to look to you as their security, as the last line of defense. They must never see you as oppressors or fear you as they fear the criminals. They must see you as their protectors,” he said.
Prime Minister Holness ended with a charge for the recruits to serve with dignity and honour.
“I want to encourage all of you to remember to protect, respect, act with consideration, and act with discernment. Wear the uniform with pride and act with dignity.”